Botswana Holidays

Browse tours

Beautiful Botswana is Africa’s triumph. Not only does it deliver in terms of wildlife – spotting the ‘big five’ is pretty much assured on any safari ÂÂÂÂ – the country has the one of the highest rates of economic growth in the world and it’s transparent, democratic government is the envy of many Africans. It has transformed from one of the most underdeveloped nations in Africa to its most successful and stable and the main reason for this can be found underground. ÂÂÂÂ Botswana’s rich diamond reserves are 50% owned by the government, and the trickle down affect is palatable. Consequently, and unlike other African countries, Botswana hasn’t had the urgent need to develop tourism for the sake of revenue, meaning that low-impact, eco-tourism is high on the agenda. ÂÂÂÂ

Landlocked Botswana, whose landmass is roughly the same size as France, is dominated by the Kalahari Desert, a vast semi-arid expanse inhabited by the legendary Kalahari Bushmen. It is characterised by vast open savannahs and abundant wildlife - affording a once in a lifetime ‘Out of Africa’ experience. ÂÂÂÂ In the north, the Okavango River gushes in from neighbouring Namibia to form the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world and an unsurpassable destination for game viewing, birding watching or just taking its majestic, varied scenery.

In the remote, flat Central Kalahari Game Reserve you could spot herds of giraffes and wildebeests wading through the golden, waist high grass whilst the Makgadikgadi Game Reserve has the largest collective of saltpans in the world. Its fringe is dotted with weirdly wonderful giant baobab trees (including the famous ‘Chapman’s Baobab’, an ancient tree, 25m in circumference, that was once used as a navigation beacon by early explorers) and authentic villages, whilst the pans are flocked with countless flamingos, cloaking them in bright pink. Another major destination is Chobe National Park - a vast wilderness of floodplains, swamps and woodland. The Chobe River on its northern periphery is a lifeline for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, sables, impalas, baboons and predators such as lions.

Culturally, Botswana also has much to offer. There are many village homesteads set up for the visitor, where you will be able to view traditional arts and crafts, dancing and other activities. The county’s capital Gaborone is a modern urban centre with gleaming new skyscrapers, malls, cinemas and museums – testament to Botswana’s industrial and economic success yet only a short distance away from its unspoilt rural beauty.